Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shopping
B1
34
Chabaa
A2
35
Elephants
B1
36
Ginger
A1
B1
38
Shinawatra
D2
39
Srisanpanmai
A1
A2
Wat Suan Dok
(Th Suthep; donations appreciated; 6am-6pm)
Built on a former flower garden in 1373, this plain-
jane temple has a photogenic collection of whitewashed
chedi
that pose in front of the
blue peaks of Doi Suthep and Doi Pui.
According to legend, a relic was brought to Wat Suan Dok, miraculously duplicated it-
self and was then used as a 'guide' for the founding of Wat Doi Suthep. The relic is en-
shrined in the temple's central
chedi
.
The main
chedi
is a textbook example of the Lanna period that began to be influenced
by Sukhothai. The other
chedi
on the grounds contain the ashes of various members of the
Lanna royal family.
Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University is located on the same grounds and is home to
a large population of resident monks and novices. Foreigners often come to Wat Suan Dok
for the popular monk chat and the English-language meditation retreats.
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Wat U Mong
(Soi Wat U Mong, Th Khlong Chonprathan; donations appreciated; 6am-6pm)
This
forest wát
is best known
for its secluded sylvan setting and a series of interconnecting brick
tunnels
built around
1380 for the clairvoyant monk Thera Jan. A marvellously grisly fasting Buddha sits on top
of the tunnel hill, along with a large and venerated
chedi
.
Wat U Mong is off Th Suthep near Chiang Mai University. Note that there is another
Wat U Mong in town, so to clearly instruct a driver ask for 'Wat U Mong Thera Jan'.
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
